The treatment for ear pain often depends on what’s causing the problem. Common treatments include medication, surgery, and home remedies.
Medication Options
To reduce ear pain, your doctor may recommend over-the-counter (OTC) drugs such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Your doctor may also recommend OTC ear drops to relieve the pain, but these should never be used if there’s a chance the eardrum has ruptured.
Antibiotics are sometimes prescribed for ear infections, but in many cases, they aren’t necessary. In children, antibiotics such as amoxicillin may be used to treat ear infections that are severe or last for more than a few days.
A buildup of earwax in the ear canal can cause an earache. Still, never stick anything into your ear — including a cotton swab, which will just push the wax deeper into the ear instead of removing it. Excessive earwax should be diagnosed and treated by a healthcare professional.
Home Remedies and Alternative and Complementary Therapies
Many people experience ear pain and mild hearing loss or muffling due to sudden changes in air pressure, such as when they’re traveling on an airplane, taking an elevator, or diving to the bottom of a swimming pool. When this occurs, swallowing repeatedly — for example, by chewing gum or sucking on hard candy — can help clear your ears.
(This kind of ear pain is usually temporary and rarely leads to lasting problems.)
A cold compress can help relieve ear pain. Place a cold pack or wet washcloth on the affected ear for about 20 minutes.
Both hot and cold packs can be used to ease the symptoms of TMJ, as can stress-reduction techniques or mouth guards.
Instead of lying flat, try resting with your head propped up. This can help ease the pressure in the middle ear.
Your doctor may also suggest an ear popper device, which uses a continuous flow of air to help fluid drain after an infection.
A 2016 review of studies considered a number of complementary and alternative treatments for pediatric otitis media, including homeopathy, phytotherapy, xylitol (a sugar alcohol), vitamin D supplements, and probiotics. Researchers found that there may be some benefits to these therapies, but evidence is limited and more research is needed.
Surgery Options
Children who are prone to earaches from ear infections may need to have a surgical procedure in which a small tube is inserted into the eardrums to prevent fluid buildup. Short-term tubes usually last about 12 to 18 months before falling out on their own.
Long-term tubes are larger and secured in place for a longer period of time.
Prevention of Ear Pain
Ear pain isn’t always preventable, but there are some things you can do to reduce your risk of ear injuries and ear infections.
Keep all foreign objects out of your ears, and always dry your ears after swimming, showering, or bathing. You can also wear a bathing cap, earplugs, or use custom-fitted swim molds when swimming.
If you smoke, quit; likewise, try to avoid secondhand smoke, which has been linked to ear infections in children.
One good step to stay healthy is to get a flu vaccine every year.
Children should get the pneumococcal vaccine as well, since the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae can cause middle ear infections.
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